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New Delhi: India’s biotechnology ecosystem marked a defining year in 2025, with the country’s bioeconomy reaching an estimated $165 billion, driven by a fast-expanding startup base and sustained public policy support, according to the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC). More than 10,000 biotech startups are now active across healthcare, agriculture, clean energy, and industrial biotechnology, reflecting the sector’s evolution from early-stage research to scalable innovation.
Reflecting on the achievements of 2025 as the year comes to a close, Dr. Jitendra Kumar, Managing Director, BIRAC, said, “At BIRAC, we have prioritised enabling innovators to move faster from lab benches to real-world impact.”
BIRAC, a public sector enterprise under the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), plays a central role in strengthening India’s biotech innovation pipeline. The focus during 2025 was on expanding bio-incubation capacity, building plug-and-play laboratory infrastructure, and co-funding high-risk research to accelerate the journey from laboratory research to commercial deployment.
BioE3 Policy Signals Shift Towards Scaled Biomanufacturing
A major policy development during the year was the rollout of the BioE3 Policy, which aims to create a future-ready bioeconomy by anchoring innovation across six strategic themes. The policy focuses on establishing biomanufacturing hubs and biofoundries, strengthening India’s capabilities in large-scale production and advanced manufacturing.
According to Dr. Kumar, the policy creates a critical link between research and manufacturing, empowering startups and industry alike while positioning India as a global biomanufacturing hub.
2026 Focus: Scale, Speed and Global Competitiveness
Looking ahead, 2026 is expected to be a year of accelerated scale-up for India’s biotechnology sector. The market is projected to grow at 13–17 percent annually, led by biopharmaceuticals, vaccines, med-tech, agri-biotech, and emerging areas such as synthetic biology and biomanufacturing.
“With continued catalytic public funding, rising venture capital participation, and ongoing regulatory streamlining, India is on track to advance toward a $300-billion bioeconomy by 2030, while strengthening its position as a trusted global partner in biotechnology-led growth,” Dr. Kumar added.
